Apparatus for laying or settling the dust or pulverized rock created in boring or blasting holes in mining.



PATENTED AUG. 2, 1904. T. J. BRITTEN. APPARATUS FOR LAYING 0R SETTLING THE DUST 0R PULVERIZED ROCK CREATED IN BORING OR BLASTING HOLES IN MINING. APPLIUATION FILED JAN. 5. 1903. NO MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 766,165. I PATENTED AUG. 2, 1904. T. J. BRITTEN.

APPARATUS FOR LAYING OR SET'ILING THE DUST OR PULVERIZED ROCK CREATED IN BORING OR BLASTING HOLES IN MINING.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 5. 1903. N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.,

l l l o i g l X UNIT D STATES Patented August 2, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS JOHNSON BRITTEN, OF IVITWATERSRAND GOLD FIELDS, TRANS- VAAL.

APPARATUS FOR LAYING OR SETTLING TIIE DUST 0R PULVERIZED ROCK CREATED IN BORING 0R BLAST- ING HOLES IN MINING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 766,165, dated August 2, 1904.

Application filed January 5, 1903. Serial No. 137,855. (No model.)

To (all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS J OHNSON BRITTEN, a subject of the King of -Great Britain, residing on the property of the IVolhuter Gold Mining Company, Limited, WVitwatersrand Gold Fields, Transvaal, have invented a certain new and useful Improved Apparatus for Laying or Settling the Dust or Pulverized Rock Created in the Boring or Blasting of Holes in Mining, (for which I have applied for Letters Patent in the Transvaal, .No. 516, filed September 19., 1902,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to an apparatus primarily designed for laying or settling the dust or minute particles of rock (mineral, coal, stone, &c.,) created in the boring or drilling of holes and in blasting or similar operations in mining. As is well known, the dissemination or diffusion of this dust or pulverized rock in the workings of mines deleteriously affects the health of the miners and results in a heavy loss of life, as the inhalation by them of the dust-laden air engenders pulmonary diseases.

Now the object of the present invention is to effectively prevent this pulverized material or dust from passing into the atmosphere. By my invention the desired end is attained when drilling by means of a continuous spray directed onto or against the face of the rock in which the hole is being drilled, so that the dust is met and precipitated or allayed by the spray immediately it emanates from the borehole. In blasting the apparatus is placed at a safe distance to prevent it from being damaged by the explosion, and the spray may be directed toward the rock-face. The use of the apparatus also promotes the absorption and destruction of the noxious fumes and poisonous gases which are generated and diffused during blasting operations, and, further, it materially assists ventilation in the development and working of a mine.

In order to produce the continuous spray, I utilize the compressed air supplied to drive the rock-drill, and for drilling the apparatus is preferably so arranged that the spray is in action when the machine is in operation; but when the machine is put out of operation the spray is at the same time rendered inoperative.

By utilizing the invention the impregnation of the atmosphere with the dust is obviated and a comparatively pure air is obtained in the workings of a mine.

In order that my invention may be fully understood, I append a sheet of drawings illustrative thereof, in which Figure 1 represents a front elevation of the nozzle; Fig. 2 a sectional View of same on the line a 42:, Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a section on line 7 Fig. 2. Fig. 4c is an elevation of the general arrangement of the apparatus for use when drilling and working in conjunction with the rock-drill. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the general arrangement for use when blasting. Fig. 6 is a front elevation of a modified arrangement for fixing the nozzle to the bucket, and Fig. 7 is a plan of Fig. 6.

In the general arrangement of the apparatus as adapted for use when drilling, (illustrated in Fig. 4,) A represents the rock-drill or rock-drilling machinearranged on the column A in the usual manner. A bucket or holder for water B of suitable capacity is provided, located in any convenient position in relation to the drill A. To the handle 7) of the bucket is fixed the nozzle or atomizer O. The air-supply branch 0 of the nozzle (3 is connected with the air-chest u of the machine or drill A by means of the flexible pipe (1 The pipe 1: is coupled up with the machine in such a way that when the air-admission or throttle-valve a? is operated to shut off the airsupply to the machine the supply is simultaneously shut off to the pipe (6 and nozzle C. The water-supply branch 0 of the nozzle C passes through a hole formed in the handle 7) and is coupled up or connected with a watersupply pipe (1, which pipe projects down to within a short distance of the bottom of the bucket B. The nozzle O is fixed to the handle 7) by means of the nut (2, screwed onto the water-supply branch 0 above the handle, and the clamping-nut e for the water-pipe (1, screwed onto the branch 0 beneath the handle.

The handle 7) is secured in any required position to place the nozzle at any desired inclination by means of a winged nut e ,screwed onto the extremity of the handle, which nut clamps the handle 7) to the edge of the bucket B.

In Figs. 6 and 7 an arrangement is illustrated for fixing the nozzle G to the bucket independently of the handle 6, so that the bucket may be suspended by the handle, if desired. In this arrangement a swivel-blockf is piv oted in brackets f f fixed to the side of the bucket B. The block f is clamped in any required position by means of the nut f screwed onto the pivot f The nozzle C is fixed in the swivel-block f in the same way that it is attached to the handle 6.

Referring to the general arrangement of the apparatus as designed for use when blasting, (shown in Fig. 5,) the bucket B, which is placed at a safe distance to prevent it from being damaged by the explosion, is fitted with the nozzle C in the manner described with reference to Fig. l or Figs. 6 and 7 Theairsupply branch of the nozzle is connected direct with the air-main F by means of the pipe f. One or more of the appliances may be employed during blasting operations, and they may be arranged in any convenient manner.

In Figs. 1, 2, and 3 the construction of the nozzle C is indicated. The air-supply branch 0 is provided with a screw-thread 0 for attachment to the air-supply pipe, and the water-supply branch 0 is formed With a screwthread 0 for connecting it with the watersupply pipe. The thread 0 may serve for fixing the nozzle to the bucket-handle b or to the swivel-block f, as before explained in connection with Fig. 4: or Figs. 6 and7. The air-supply passage 0, formed through the branch 0-, is fitted with a screw-valve 0 for varying or adjusting the area of the passage to regulate the quantity of air passing therethrough, as may be necessary. The outlet-orifice of the airpassage 0 is formed flat at the bottom and rounded at the top, as shown in Fig. 1. When intended for use with the rock drill or machine, the walls of the air-passage c are formed parallel throughout, as is indicated by the dotted lines at 2 in Figs. 2 and 3, but with the bottom of the opening flat and the top rounded, as previously described. For allaying or destroying the dust or gases in blasting or like operations the air-passage 0* is splayed outward or constructed with divergent Walls at the outlet end, as seen at w in Figs. 2 and 3, in order to spread the spray as it issues from the nozzle to envelop a larger area.

The water-passage 0, formed in the watersupply branch 0, communicates with the airpassage 0* near the outlet-orifice. The waterpassage 0 is formed at an angle or inclination to the base of the air-passage 0 as indicated in Figs. Q'and 8. This construction results in a more perfect atomizing or spraying of the Water and requires less air for the purpose of drawing the necessary quantity of water. The water-passage 0 is elongated in the direction of the air-passage 0 as illustrated in Fig. 3. The base of the air-passage 0* is fiat at the point where the Water-passage 0 opens into it. The width of the water outlet or passage 0 at the top or where it communicates with the air-passage 0 must not exceed the width of the air-passage. By the construction of the air-outlet with a fiat base the whole body of the water issuing through the water-outlet is impinged upon by the air in its passage over the said outlet.

I/Vhen the apparatus is in use, the compressed air passing along the passage 0 and over the top of the water-passage 0 exhausts the air contained in the water-supply branch 0 and the water-supply pipe cl and tends to create a vacuum therein. The water is thereupon forced up the pipe (1 by atmospheric pressure. and when it reaches the top of the passage 0 it is diffused or converted into a fine spray by the air as it issues through the outlet-orifice.

The apparatus may be located at any desired distance from the rock-face to'cause the spray to encompass a larger or smaller area, as required. It is important to note that the spray is continuous and not intermittent.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is

1. In apparatus of the nature specified for use when blasting, the bucket or water-holder B, the nozzle C comprising air and water supply branohs, means for fixing said nozzle at any desired angle or inclination, the watersupply pipe CZ, placing the water branch 0' of the nozzle 0 in communication with the bucket B, and the air-supply pipe f placing the air branch 0 of the nozzle C in communicationwith the air-main F, the air-main F, the airpassage 0* provided in the air branch cformed flat at the base and round at the top and splayed outward or formed with divergent walls at the outlet-orifice, the valve 0 for regulating the quantity of air passing through the air-passage, the water-passage 0 formed in the water branch 0 at an angle to the fiat base of the passage 0 and elongated in the direction of said air-passage 0*, substantially as described and shown.

2. In apparatus of the nature specified for use when blasting, the bucket or water-holder B, the nozzle C comprising air and water supply branches, means for fixing said nozzle at any desired angle or inclination, the watersupply pipe d placing the water branch 0 of the nozzle C in communication with the bucket B, and the air-supply pipe 6/ placing the air branch 0 of the nozzle C in communication with a source of supply of the compressed air, said source of supply, the air-passage 0* provided in the air branch 0 formed flat at the base and round at the top and splayed outward or formed with divergent Walls at the v of supply of compressed air, a flexible connection between the atomizer and the source of supply of compressed air, and means for directing the atomizer upon the point of rock operated upon by said drill, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS JOHNSON BRITTEN.

WVitnesses:

CHAS. OBENDALE, J. C. K. POLLOCK. 

